At The Front Helmet

[airborneguy44]

I am looking to purchase a postwar paratrooper helmet from at the front (here's the link: http://www.atthefrontshop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=USHHPWPPT) and I was wondering if anyone had purchased it and what they thought of it. If you did buy one (or the 506th version), PLEASE POST PICTURES!! I had already bought their reproduction 506th helmet, i was ok for a hundred bucks but could use alot of work. Thanks

[airborneguy44]

I am looking to purchase a postwar paratrooper helmet from at the front (here's the link: http://www.atthefrontshop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=USHHPWPPT) and I was wondering if anyone had purchased it and what they thought of it. If you did buy one (or the 506th version), PLEASE POST PICTURES!! I had already bought their reproduction 506th helmet, i was ok for a hundred bucks but could use alot of work. Or if you had purchased any other type of U.S. Airborne helmet from them, please post pictures of those. Thanks

 

[juodonnell2012]

First off I really think this belongs In the reenacting section. Second off why would you want a postwar parts one. They look don't look correct and are absolutely wrong. They use low dome pots reprinted to olive drab with vietnam era liners. If you are looking for a refurbished one I would suggest J Murray. He does great work and uses all the correct parts it may cost a little more but they are well worth it.

[Screamingeagles101]

I purchased from at the front once. They give you a rear seam low dome shell and a Belgian liner. If you can't buy a real one, at least go for this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WWII-US-M2-Dbale-Paratrooper-Helmet-101st-Abn-506th-PIR-NCO-Camo-Net-Camo-/171395833275?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27e7fcddbb.

 

It's a legit WW2 era shell and liner with reproduction parts.

 

At least it looks somewhat presentable. It could even pass as authentic if you squint your eyes from far away. Well to ordinary people, not helmet collectors. They can sense a fake from a mile away. Haha

[GlennWoreAShaefPatch]

I have never had a problem with ATF. They are honest about what they sell. They don't say "Original m1 Helmet" like a lot of other vendors, they say "Postwar Parts." They have never tried to pull a quick one on me and what I get is usually exactly what I paid them for, with the exception of one badge they sent me which was incorrect (ordered white tongue 101st, got red instead but he fixed the issue right when i pointed it out)
They work with price in mind aswell. They give you the choice between perfectly accurate and almost perfectly accurate. And the best part is, they're nice and frank about everything and don't try to sugarcoat it. They usually say "if you don't like it, don't buy it."
As for their helmets, I've never had a problem with one. They are exactly what they tell you they are. The only big issue I've run across was how their reproductions had plastic liners and it broke after about a year. You have the choice of buying front seam and rear seam. The issue the last guy pointed out about the liners? ATF takes out the original, gunky, gross liners (as all the helmets they've had have seen past use) and rebuild the majority of it. The sweatbands are replaced, the suspension is redone, the rivets are replaced, the chinstrap is replaced and the nape strap is replaced. Pretty much everywhere the helmet would be gross and gunky from human sweat, they've replaced.
I've always, and probably always will, trust ATF. They've been a pleasure to do business with.

[jgawne]

ATF is also really fun to read !

[airborneguy44]

I have never had a problem with ATF. They are honest about what they sell. They don't say "Original m1 Helmet" like a lot of other vendors, they say "Postwar Parts." They have never tried to pull a quick one on me and what I get is usually exactly what I paid them for, with the exception of one badge they sent me which was incorrect (ordered white tongue 101st, got red instead but he fixed the issue right when i pointed it out)

They work with price in mind aswell. They give you the choice between perfectly accurate and almost perfectly accurate. And the best part is, they're nice and frank about everything and don't try to sugarcoat it. They usually say "if you don't like it, don't buy it."

As for their helmets, I've never had a problem with one. They are exactly what they tell you they are. The only big issue I've run across was how their reproductions had plastic liners and it broke after about a year. You have the choice of buying front seam and rear seam. The issue the last guy pointed out about the liners? ATF takes out the original, gunky, gross liners (as all the helmets they've had have seen past use) and rebuild the majority of it. The sweatbands are replaced, the suspension is redone, the rivets are replaced, the chinstrap is replaced and the nape strap is replaced. Pretty much everywhere the helmet would be gross and gunky from human sweat, they've replaced.

I've always, and probably always will, trust ATF. They've been a pleasure to do business with.

Thanks man! I agree with what you said about the repro helmet with plastic liner. The liner breaks easily and it barely fits in my shell. Also with the shell, there is a huge ding in it and it so big it messes with the chinstrap and I can barely wrap the strap around the front. If possible could you attach some pics of your para helmets (either postwar or repro (for comparison) or both) and I can be happy with the postwar when I buy it. I have a guy offering me a repro wwii paratrooper liner for $200 and I might buy it if the ATF aren't as good. And trust me, ATF is great, it's just a matter of saving money.Thanks!

[GlennWoreAShaefPatch]

Thanks man! I agree with what you said about the repro helmet with plastic liner. The liner breaks easily and it barely fits in my shell. Also with the shell, there is a huge ding in it and it so big it messes with the chinstrap and I can barely wrap the strap around the front. If possible could you attach some pics of your para helmets (either postwar or repro (for comparison) or both) and I can be happy with the postwar when I buy it. I have a guy offering me a repro wwii paratrooper liner for $200 and I might buy it if the ATF aren't as good. And trust me, ATF is great, it's just a matter of saving money.Thanks!

I presume for $200 it would be better (especially in the long run.) Mine from ATF needed quite a bit of adjusting before it worked for me (Sweatband clips were way too loose to function properly). But, for only $60 it's one heck of a high quality repro liner. If I were you I would go for the $200 one, but the one from ATF is a great choice as an emergency "backup," if you're really tight for money, or just starting out.

In the liner's defense, it stood up to quite a bit of use and abuse before finally giving in.

My camera got stolen out of my car a little while back and I don't have another $300 handy to replace it.

The pics on ATF's site are great though, and are almost exactly how mine looked (A yokes were OD, not khaki, other than that just about the same.)

Also: Is the dent in the repro or original shell? Because if it's in the repro, I'd email ATF (but be polite about it). I've never seen that happen with any of their repros, though.

 

Thanks

 

 

[airborneguy44]

I presume for $200 it would be better (especially in the long run.) Mine from ATF needed quite a bit of adjusting before it worked for me (Sweatband clips were way too loose to function properly). But, for only $60 it's one heck of a high quality repro liner. If I were you I would go for the $200 one, but the one from ATF is a great choice as an emergency "backup," if you're really tight for money, or just starting out.

In the liner's defense, it stood up to quite a bit of use and abuse before finally giving in.

My camera got stolen out of my car a little while back and I don't have another $300 handy to replace it.

The pics on ATF's site are great though, and are almost exactly how mine looked (A yokes were OD, not khaki, other than that just about the same.)

Also: Is the dent in the repro or original shell? Because if it's in the repro, I'd email ATF (but be polite about it). I've never seen that happen with any of their repros, though.

 

Thanks

 

 

I emailed them and they just said to carefully hammer it out. Didn't really work, but whatever. I just hope when I buy some of their postwar parts helmets that I don't encounter problems.

[Cheeks]

I have their WWII parts front seam fixed bail M1 Helmet. The helmet is perfect for being 70 years old or so. Well the shell and liner are original. The fixed bales are added to the helmet and the sweatband and webbing is also new reproduction. Don't know about their post war parts helmets, but for the $200 for the reproduction liner your friend is offering, you could upgrade to one of their WWII parts paratrooper helmets with an original liner.

[David D]

I dont get why they sell those plastic liners for so much, i can sell anyone right now for $2.

 

-Dave

[GlennWoreAShaefPatch]

I dont get why they sell those plastic liners for so much, i can sell anyone right now for $2.

 

-Dave

The average joe cant make his own. They spend $1.50 making it and retail it to people who need it for $20+. Its not that they NEED to, its just a ton of profit, and the average guy cant tell 'em off because he cant make his own.

[thunderw21]

Those plastic liners are junk. I have one and it barely fits my WW2 shells and doesn't fit postwar shells at all. They're oversized. If they were sized correctly they wouldn't be too bad.

[americankraut]

I have a refinished front seam paratrooper helmet made with WWII parts for sale. It has a WWII westinghouse liner. PM me if your interested

-Ben